FAMILY SESSION: beauty in little packages

the littlest lady looks like a china doll...

it's not difficult to see why when you look at her beautiful parents...

and her brother...

he's going to be a heart-breaker...

I remember that we met up sort of last minute last fall...it was getting colder already and weather was sporadic...but this particular morning, the sun decided to make a glorious appearance but I remember just working around the frost and being mesmermized by how absolutely darling these kids were...

I think you will agree...

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SENIOR SESSION: Nate

As I was preparing Nate's images for this post, I was thinking back to his senior session and determining words that I thought would describe him to others...

I only meet seniors for a couple of hours...but, I see them at the beginning where they tend to be a tad nervous and wanting it to be worth the investment...so there is some anxiety there...And for guys, I can't say that senior sessions are something they've always "dreamt" about...

Then, as our time continues, I see them "find the fun" in the moment and the real personality comes out...

Nate is noble, respectful, compliant, strong, easy-going and kind-hearted

He's got an inner strength or confidence or something...

His mom had lots of ideas and things she wanted to showcase about her son...she was proud and should be...

Nate didn't seem to crave the "center of attention" but, in such a thoughtful & sweet way, he complied to all our crazy ideas and made us laugh and smile and his mom might have even gotten teary eyed at one point!

It's such a pleasure to meet these young men and women...I see so much potential for our future...

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MEMORIAL DAY 2016

Memorial Day is different than Veterans Day

Veterans Day celebrates and honors all US veterans and victims of wars.

Memorial Day is a day to honor and remember those that died in active military service...to honor the men and women that died fighting for my freedom, for my right to believe in God without persecution, to love & be with my family, to work and shop and sing and speak and LIVE!

The only military people that I grew up with, were my grandfathers.  

Perhaps it was the era or the generation...

It was the way they carried themselves...it wasn't that they weren't gentle or loving...

It was more the stoic heroism that they just lived out in the day to day...

Their gratefulness for the freedom we had seemed to lay heavy on them...

perhaps all military people have this worldview inside of them...

all I know, is that I wish I had more of it...

Men and women that are willing to put themselves in harms way for others...

for people that may or may not be grateful for what they do...

The sacrifice of those that we celebrate today paid the ultimate price...

as did their families...

They can't be replaced and they leave a noticable void...

For what it's worth...

it doesn't go unnoticed here

it's doesn't get taken for granted here

Thank you to those families...thank you for sacrificing your dreams of the future...

I know that it may not be much consolation, especially in our world today that seems so very focused on self and what we think we are entitled to...

but, thank you...

Thank you for taking my place...my husband's place...

May we never forget and may we continue to fight for truth and for what is right!

God Bless America

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InHome Lifestyle: Day in the Life

I'm just going to say it...

If you do not have or don't quite know how to use a top notch camera...I believe it is 100% worth the investment to have at least one InHome Lifestyle photoshoot...

to capture the everyday life...the special nooks in your home...the laughter and seemingly insignificant moments of daily living...

this family valued that...

Don't get me wrong...it's great to have those beautifully posed pictures with a sunset or gorgeous backdrop...

at the same time...this family understood that their little guy wasn't always going to use his tiny violin...and baby girl wasn't always going to be banging on a toy piano...

and yet, those are huge investments of their time & energy in the everyday...

and they wanted to capture that...

I love these sessions more and more...because they don't just capture what a person looks likes but they capture WHO they are...

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SENIOR SESSION: Hannah

6 Things to Remember about your Senior Session

1. MINDSET: Your mindset is twofold!  First off...relax and have FUN!  We're showcasing the real YOU...we're not in a modeling contest or competition...this is about letting your personality, smile, heart shine through!  Secondly, this is about mom & dad...they WANT to do this for you, to spend these couple of hours reminiscing and seeing YOU sparkle!  They realize that you've worked hard and they also realize that after this last year of high school, things are changing...and as excited as they are, this is also the beginning of the slow goodbye...

2. CLOTHING: You have LOTS of options here, but be sure to pick at least one outfit that is classic.  You can be stylish and fashionable and really let your personality show! Many choose to use varisty jackets, sports equipment and uniforms too...

3. COMPLEXION/MAKE UP: I don't wear a lot of make up...I never have...however, I know that with photography, when you take a 3D/real life object and "flatten" it to a print, it often helps give dimension to facial features if you have some challenge areas..but all in all, I attempt to work a little magic in photoshop to help with those things as well...so please don't stress...your EYES and smile are what tell the true "story" of your heart! 

4. HAIR: I wouldn't advise getting a hair cut right before a photo session, unless you are confident that it's going to turn out exactly like you normally have it...this is where it is imperative to have Mom and/or best friend along for the ride...they can help with knowing how your hair typically looks and what YOU like best! You are always welcome to bring combs, clips, hair spray...whatever is typical and helpful for you!

5. ARRIVAL: It's helpful to arrive a little early or right on time to your Session time...this way, you don't lose camera time...We spend the first few minutes looking through your outfits and making a plan with regards to wardrobe & location changes.  We want to utilize every second of our time together!

6. WEATHER: Don't worry about overcast days or clouds...those are actually a BONUS because with that type of lighting we don't have to look for shade or worry about squinting eyes...we can shoot anywhere...At the same time, sunshine is gorgeous too & can produce a completely different look to your backgrounds...All in all, though, the locations, the light...these are things that are in the background...we're here to showcase YOU, not the landscape or sun through the trees.  However, if it's raining, then we'll have to reschedule...but try not to stress.  I know that your schedule is as busy as mine, and I try to be as flexible as possible to make sure you get your time in! 

After reading all that, I want to introduce you to HANNAH!!!

This girl was amazing to work with...she shared her ideas and was willing to join in some fun...The more we talked and walked, the more I discovered about her personality...

She's indepedent and an old soul...

I love her passion and drive...

Not to mention, she's beautiful...I mean, just stunning...without even trying!!! 

She was so busy in the fall, we needed to get these pictures taken care of before graduation in the spring...so we were counting down the days for nice weather to actually arrive in Ohio...and when it happened, we were ready! 

I love the unique-ness of her session...

but moreso, I am inspired by the uniqueness of HANNAH!!!

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SUMMER SESSION SCHEDULING

Is it finally here?

Can we officially state that summer has arrived?

I'm thinking that we are probably finished with the snow and cold by now?...maybe?...fingers crossed???

I do know that my girls are out of school and with that has come a new kind of CraZy at our house...it's a fun crazy, but hectic nonetheless...

We've got orthodontist and eye doctor appointments, final forms to fill out for school sports, garage sales and packing for vacations, VBS at our church, camps...

It's going to be a GREAT summer and I'm soaking up the moments I get with my family...

My eldest reminded me the other day that she's only "home" for 4 more years...

Ummm....stab me in the heart young one! We all know the moments are fleeting...or as I've heard before, "the parenting years sometimes drag by quickly!"

That said, I know everyone's schedule is as full as mine...combine that with Ohio weather...well, suffice it to say, it will be beneficial for us to get things on the calendar sooner rather than later...

Instead of posting specific dates, I'm sharing with you my "flexible availability"...Basically, it means that these are the weeks/days that we can work with weather to get you those beautiful summer photos!

June 23-July 2 (weekdays and select times during the weekend)
July 12-July 31 (weekdays and weekends)
August 1-14

Once school starts, I'll be doing a little shifting around with regards to pricing & scheduling as I wait for sports schedules to come out.  I will send out an email the last week of August to past CT PhotoMemories clients and any who request to be added to that list to get first dibs on my Fall Availability Dates.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:

I already have many scheduled for this summer...IF THAT IS YOU, do not worry, I've got you on my calendar and I"ll send out a message a couple days prior to your scheduled day...

IF YOU'D LIKE TO SCHEDULE A SUMMER SESSION (Senior OR Family OR InHome Lifestyle) Contact me via email at ctphotomemories@gmail.com with a few options within the dates listed above...Early mornings and late evenings tends to work the best during the HOT summer days not only with regards to LIGHT but also the HEAT for outdoor sessions.  

IF YOU'D LIKE TO SCHEDULE A FALL SESSION Contact me via email at ctphotomemories@gmail.com with your email address so that I can add you to the email contact list that will go out at the end of August with date/time availability.

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Summer Vacation Reads

I'm taking a little reprieve from the client blog posts today...not because I don't adore each and every one of my sessions...but, here we are on the 3rd day of our "district's" summer break and I feel as though I need a PLAN to make it through the summer.

My girls are now spanning the ages/maturity levels in ways that are very different than before...One in each school (HS, MS and Elem) and therefore, there is a significant difference in the way they communicate and "need" me on any given day (or moment).

I'm wading through this parenting season with everyone else...no rule books or guarantees, but continuing along trying to love them in the way they feel most loved, encouraging them, disciplining & guiding them...and praying...OH, the praying...because the fact of the matter, I'm just NOT going to do this "right" all the time, in every way...

I am learning though (and perhaps this comes with age or insanity...) that taking time away from the CONSTANT is not only helpful, but it's become a necessary thing...I'm really no good to my husband or my children if my every waking moment is wrapped up and focused on what I can be for them...I need those moments of "me" time and "God & me" time...

Therefore, since I'm a reader...

I've compiled a list of "beach reads" or "I-need-to-relax" reads or maybe, "I-want-to-ignore-the-household-chores-so-pick-a-doggone-title" reads...

I've got a handful of books still waiting in the wings, but for those that are leaving for vacation sooner than I am, I am giving a quick list of titles with mixed genres for you to try if you'd like...I'd LOVE to hear what you think...and I'd love to hear some book titles from YOUR list as I need some titles to explore in the very near future!!!

I will warn you that types of books that I'm typically drawn to are sometimes more historical in nature and most of the time, the ones that I like best have strong, adapted, full characters and the relationships are highlighted, often more than the action taking place (if that makes sense?)

Adult Reads:

The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
The Storied Life of AJ Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
The Waiting (true story) by Cathy LaGrow
Thief of Glory by Sigmund Brouwer  
The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley
The Desperate Fortune by Susanna Kearsley
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kid
The Nightengale by Kristin Hannah
The StoryKeeper by Lisa Wingate
The Gift of Imperfection (non-fiction)  by Brene Brown
Daring Greatly(non-fiction)  by Brene Brown
Between Shades of Grey (young-adult) by Ruta Sepetys
The Selection Series by Keira Cass (young-adult...cross between The Bachelor & Hunger Games)

for kids:
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
The Penderwicks series by Jeane Birdsale
Out of my Mind by Sharon Draper
(obviously Harry Potter, Narnia Series, Unwanted Series and perhaps Percy Jackson)

You can actually check me out on GoodReads to see what books I've read and the ratings I've given HERE

If you aren't a reader persay, I have been checking out Netflix here of late while I do my daily run on the treadmill...here are some shows that I've thoroughly enjoyed!!!

Netflix:

Parenthood
Sherlock (if you liked West Wing, I think you'll like this fast paced, mystery, comedy-drama)
Death Comes to Pemberly (make sure you watch the movie Pride & Prejudice FIRST and then you'll just fall in love with these characters all over again)

Seriously, I'd love to hear YOUR input...and suggestions for Netflix or book titles...add them to the comments or on FB...

Have a fantastic summer!!!

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FAMILY SESSION: the beauty of NOW

the littlest guy wasn't feeling well...

We didn't understand the extent of it until after they got home from their session and discovered he had a fever...

poor little guy...

The older I get the more I understand over how much we DON'T have control...

I like to be able to control things...to manuever them in ways that work to my advantage...

as we had more children, I found it harder and harder to manipulate...

my 3 little girls each had their own individual ideas and thoughts about things and they didn't always match up to what their "momma" thought best...

I might have envisioned denim & overalls and country bumpkins...but my girls liked frills & dresses

I loved their giggles and laughs but my youngest was nervous in front of a camera until she turned 3 years old...

We all have great intentions, but the beauty of family is that we accept and love and cherish no matter what the circumstances, or ideas, or even amidst a messed up plan...

I loved that they were a "go with the flow" family...

this is life in the RIGHT NOW...

and it's beautiful...

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FAMILY SESSION: I'm a little Pumpkin

This little pumpkin is as sweet as he looks...

His momma was my middle girl's math teacher last year...

and to say that my daughter would follow Mrs. S. to the ends of the earth might actually be an understatement rather than an exaggeration...

I'm excited to watch this little guy grow...

His parents are dynamic...

Not only are they passionate and determined...they are accepting and bold...they live fully & wholeheartedly...

This little man has a front row seat to the JOY of living and loving others...

My girls are maturing...we only have a few more years before the first one is off to college...

I will be honest and say that I'm in this season of uncertainty...

When they were little, their daddy & I were their whole world...

But, they are growing into independant adults...and I get nervous about whether I push too hard or not hard enough...what is the right rate at which I take a more "hands off" approach...how do I balance being parent, but also allowing them to make their own decisions that will ultimately affect their futures???

These questions sometimes haunt me...

there isn't a manual...a rule book...and worse yet, there is no guarantee...

I've said it to myself over and over...basic addition doesn't necessarily add up in the real world...

Sooooooooo...

It's when I interact with people like these that my heart remembers Who has things under control...

These incredible teachers and role-models that, for short seasons, invest into the heart & mind of my girls...

When I may be floundering and trying to figure things out amidst the everyday...

God sees fit to put other people of integrity in their pathways...to pour into them...to love on them...

And then, I get even more giddy and incredibly thankful to see their own families grow and the cycle continues...

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